Syringe imaging systems

1. A syringe imaging system for a syringe infusion pump, comprising:

an imaging device configured to capture one or more images of a syringe in the syringe infusion pump; and

a processor configured to:

determine, based on the one or more captured images from the imaging device, an internal diameter of the syringe and a distance between a bung and a bottom of the syringe, and

calculate a remaining volume of the syringe based upon the determined internal diameter and distance.

2. The syringe imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a motor-driven carriage coupled to the imaging device, wherein the motor-driven carriage is configured to carry the imaging device along a path parallel to the syringe.

3. The syringe imaging system of claim 2 , wherein the motor-driven carriage is operably coupled to a motor via one or more of: a lead screw, a drive belt, a drive chain and one or more gears.

4. The syringe imaging system of claim 2 , wherein the motor-driven carriage includes a position sensing device, whereby a linear position of the motor-driven carriage in relation to the syringe is determined.

5. The syringe imaging system of claim 4 , wherein the position sensing device is either a linear potentiometer or a rotary encoder.

6. The syringe imaging system of claim 2 , further comprising a window with gradation marks through which the imaging device captures the one or more images of the syringe, whereby a linear position of the motor-driven carriage in relation to the syringe is determined.

7. The syringe imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a light source located such that the syringe is between the light source and the imaging device.

8. The syringe imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the light source emits a light in a wavelength in which the syringe is at least partially transparent.

9. The syringe imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a CMOS camera module, a CCD camera module, a 2-D imaging array and a linear imaging array.

10. The syringe imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the internal diameter of the syringe edge by detecting a first internal wall of the syringe and a second internal wall of the syringe and measuring a distance between the first internal wall and the second internal wall.

11. The syringe imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to detect the first and second internal walls with an edge-detection algorithm.

12. A syringe imaging system for a syringe infusion pump, the system comprising:

an imaging device configured to capture an image of a syringe; and

a processor configured to:

detect, in the captured image, a first internal wall of the syringe and a second internal wall of the syringe;

measure a distance between the first internal wall and the second internal wall to determine an internal diameter of the syringe;

detect, in the captured image, the bung of the syringe and the bottom of the syringe with an edge-detection algorithm; and

measure a distance between the bung and the bottom to determine a remaining plunger travel of the syringe.

13. The syringe imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to detect the first and second internal walls with an edge-detection algorithm.

14. The syringe imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a remaining volume of the syringe based upon the determined internal diameter and the determined plunger travel.

15. A syringe infusion pump comprising:

a housing having a bracket configured to receive a syringe;

a syringe driver configured to actuate a plunger of the syringe;

an imaging device configured to capture one or more images of the syringe; and

a processor configured to:

determine, based on the one or more captured images from the imaging device, an internal diameter of the syringe and a distance between a bung and a bottom of the syringe, and

calculate a remaining volume of the syringe based upon the determined internal diameter and distance.

16. The syringe infusion pump of claim 15 , further comprising:

a motor-driven carriage coupled to the imaging device, wherein the motor-driven carriage is configured to carry the imaging device along a path parallel to the syringe.

17. The syringe infusion pump of claim 16 , further comprising a motor configured to actuate the syringe driver and/or to power the motor-driven carriage.

18. The syringe infusion pump of claim 16 , wherein the motor-driven carriage includes a position sensing device, whereby a linear position of the motor-driven carriage in relation to the syringe is determined.

19. The syringe infusion pump of claim 18 , wherein the position sensing device is either a linear potentiometer or a rotary encoder.

20. The syringe infusion pump of claim 16 , further comprising a window with gradation marks through which the imaging device captures the one or more images of the syringe, whereby a linear position of the motor-driven carriage in relation to the syringe is determined.

21. The syringe infusion pump of claim 15 , further comprising a light source located such that the syringe is between the light source and the imaging device.

22. The syringe infusion pump of claim 15 , wherein the imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a CMOS camera module, a CCD camera module, a 2-D imaging array and a linear imaging array.

23. The syringe infusion pump of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the internal diameter of the syringe edge by detecting, with an edge-detection algorithm, a first internal wall of the syringe and a second internal wall of the syringe, and by measuring a distance between the first internal wall and the second internal wall.

24. The syringe infusion pump of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to automatically determine the remaining volume of the syringe when the syringe is first provided in the syringe infusion pump.